Expression of PD-L1 in renal cancer, prognostic features and clinical utility of its routine staining.

The expression of PD-L1 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is associated with worse survival and prognostic clinical-pathological features. However, they seem to respond better to new therapeutic agents.

Knowing the behavior of RCC according to the presence of PD-L1 has implications for medical counseling and therapeutic approaches.

To identify the presence of PD-L1 in renal tumor cells and analyze its association with patients' prognostic factors, overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS).

Retrospective analysis of RCC tissue samples, obtained between 2018 and 2021. Immunohistochemistry analysis with mouse monoclonal Anti PD-L1, clone 22C3. Definition of PD-L1 "positive" as a Tumor Proportion Score ≥1%. Comparison of prognostic factors according to the presence or absence of PD-L1, and univariate analysis for OS and CSS.

14% (n = 11) of the sample were PD-L1(+). Average age was 59 years. There were no statistically significant differences between PD-L1 status and TNM stages, nuclear grade and histology. PD-L1(+) had worse OS with a HR of 5.27 (CI: 1.1-23.7; P = .03) and CSS showed a unfavorable tendency for PD-L1(+) with a HR of 4.79 (CI: 0.79-28.95; P = .08).

The prevalence of PD-L1 in RCC is considerable. In this study PD-L1(+) was associated with unfavorable OS and CSS. It seems reasonable to incorporate its routine use in RCC.

Actas urologicas espanolas. 2023 Feb 01 [Epub ahead of print]

R Massouh Skorin, P Escovar la Riva, F Gabler, M Kirmayr, T Khamis, S Escobar, A Díaz, L Soto

Urología, Hospital Clínico San Borja Arriarán, Santiago, Chile. Electronic address: ., Urología, Hospital Clínico San Borja Arriarán, Santiago, Chile., Patología, Hospital Clínico San Borja Arriarán, Santiago, Chile., Urología, Hospital del Salvador, Santiago, Chile., Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

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